Laser putting aid and associated method

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a golf putting training device and associated method utilizing a generated laser beam emitted from a laser device with a connecting configuration and design that allows for the connection of the laser device to a clip or other type of device, which can be used to hang the device from a golfer&#39;s body, including from a temple bar of eyeglasses or from a hat, and at the same time, swivel and pivot in such a way such that no matter what position the head is placed or the angular position of the golfer&#39;s body when setting up to putt a golf ball, the laser beam maintains its downward vertical projection or plumbness with minimal oscillation and maintain a stable laser light beam. The device can be used as a training aid to assist golfer&#39;s in a proper eyes over the ball alignment when putting.

[0001] The invention relates to a laser indicator to be used as a golf putting training aid and an associated method of use.

[0002] Prior art devices using laser technology to assist a golfer in proper body alignment are known in the art, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,345 to Jehn. However, these devices are used as a training aid when standing back from the golf ball and taking a normal swing. The laser device is attached typically to the ball cap visor or brim and the beam path movement corresponds to the movement of the body and head in the swing motion. The angle pitch of the head also determines the angle of the depending laser beam projection. Such a device can not be used as a training aid for putting a golf ball on the green as the device of Jehn will always project an angular beam from the cap attachment point.

[0003] For putting, what is needed is a device, which projects a vertically depending beam no matter what the pitch angle of the head and/or upper body of the golfer. It is believed by golf professionals, that most great putters in the golf game have their eyes directly over the golf ball and not too far inside or outside of the stroke line. This invention helps train golfers to achieve this eye to ball alignment.

[0004] In the accompanying drawings:

[0005]FIG. 1 is a conceptual schematic depiction of one embodiment of the invention;

[0006]FIG. 2 is another conceptual depiction of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depicting the laser emitting portion of the invention maintaining its plumb beam projection even though the clip portion is at a changed angle;

[0007]FIG. 3 is a conceptual schematic depiction of the invention of FIG. 1 attached to a visor or brim of a cap with the laser beam projection being plumb or 90° with the ground surface;

[0008]FIG. 4 is a conceptual depiction of a golfer putting on a putting green surface utilizing the invention and the laser beam is shown projecting down to the ball thereby aligning the golfer over the ball for a proper putt;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a conceptual schematic depiction of another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0010]FIG. 6 is a conceptual schematic depiction of another embodiment of the invention in an offset configuration.

[0011] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6 disclose embodiments of the present invention, which is a laser putting aid or a golf training device, depicted generally as 10.

[0012] The golf putting training device 10 includes laser means 12 for projecting a beam of light 12 a. The laser means 12 has an ON/OFF switch 12 b for selectively turning the beam “on” or “off” and has a distal end 12 c at which end, a laser firing lens 12 d is located and a proximal end 12 e.

[0013] The ON/OFF switch 12 b can be made in a variety of ways, but is typically a sliding switch mechanism or a push button mechanism. The above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,345 to Jehn depicts a push button type of mechanism. In fact, the laser means portion of this patent is typical of the type of laser means 12 contemplated by the present invention. Generally, such lasers are designed as miniature pen-light shapes, relatively short in length and are powered by batteries housed in the pen-light. The laser of Jehn however houses its battery and push button in the module from which the pen-light laser is attached pivotally. In the present invention, the laser means integrally incorporates the batteries and ON/OFF switch capability.

[0014] The inventive training device 10 also includes means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to a desired location on a golfer's body 30. The means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30 is preferably a clip 14 a. Although other means 14 such as hook and loop fasteners may be used, such fasteners require either the hook portion or the loop portion to be adhesively applied to a part of a golfer's clothing such as the ball cap visor, also referred to as the brim of the cap. It is anticipated that golfers will not want to apply such adhesive-type bonded fasteners to their caps but a clip-type of device would be used without any reluctance by the user.

[0015] The clip 14 a could be attached to any one of many locations of choice by the user, such as a portion of a golfer's shirt 30 a (collar, pocket, etc.), a portion of a golfer's hat 30 b (brim, side head band portion, etc.), a temple bar 30 c of a golfer's eyeglasses 30 d, and a portion of a golfer's ear 30 e (ear lobe). As examples, FIG. 3 depicts the invention attached to a cap and FIG. 4 depicts the invention attached to the end of the temple bar 30 c nearest the eye glass frame portion of the eyeglasses 30 d.

[0016] The inventive training device 10 for putting also includes connection means 16 for interconnecting the proximal end 12 e of the laser means 12 and the means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30.

[0017] The connection means 16 further includes means 18 for allowing the laser means 12 to swivel and pivot. The means 18 for allowing the laser means 12 to swivel is further designed to provide sufficient resistance to such swivel action so as to minimize oscillation of the laser means 12 as the golfer moves into a putting position and for maintaining a projection 12 f of the beam 12 a of light vertically downward essentially perpendicular to a ground surface 20 as the golfer prepares for and completes the putt.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, one example of this design is a ball and socket type of joint, where a ball is formed at the proximal end 12 e of the laser means 12 and the connection means 16 includes a socket or clamping type of design around the ball shape. The clamping type socket is in turn connected to the means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30. There is sufficient compression to maintain some friction so as to minimize oscillation of the depending laser means 12 yet sufficient clearance tolerance to allow for swivel (including pivot) action so the beam 12 a can project downwardly perpendicularly to the ground surface as the user moves his or her head and body in position to putt a golf ball on the green.

[0019] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 includes a ball and socket type of connection as described above except the socket arrangement is incorporated in an offset configured member of the connecting means 16, which in turn is connected to the means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30.

[0020] Another example of providing connection means 16 may be incorporated in the invention 10 such as depicted in FIG. 5, wherein a small segment of fishing line and lure device is incorporated. Typically, 2-3 small beads with a relatively fine filament line running through the center of each bead is used. This allows for rotation action and some swiveling action but the swiveling action is minimal enough to impede the oscillation action caused by head movement. The chain loop-type assembly portion shown at the actual connections to the clip handle and the laser means 12 proximal end 12 e allow for any other required pivot action to ensure the downward vertical orientation to the beam. The overall length between the clip handle and the proximal end 12 e must be minimized in this embodiment so as to minimize any oscillation of the depending laser means 12. Alternatively, only one chain loop assembly portion may be provided, one at the proximal end 12 e side of the laser means 12 or the other on the clip 14 a side. The use of chain loop assemblies on both points of connection is depicted in FIG. 5.

[0021] As mentioned above, another embodiment of the device 10 incorporates an offset in the connection means 16, as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the connection means 16 includes an approximate 90° offset to form one leg, which connects to the means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30 and another leg from which, the laser means 12 depends and the proximal end 12 e of said laser means 12 is connected.

[0022] The invention herein further includes a method of training a golfer to achieve a proper alignment of the golfer's body over a golf ball 32 when putting on a green, comprising:

[0023] attaching a golf putting training device 10 to the golfer's body 30, the training device 10 including:

[0024] laser means 12 for projecting a beam of light 12 a, the laser means 12 having an ON/OFF switch 12 b for selectively turning the beam “on” or “off”, the laser means 12 having a distal end 12 c at which end, a laser firing lens 12 d is located and a proximal end 12 e;

[0025] means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to a desired location on the golfer's body 30;

[0026] connection means 16 for interconnecting the proximal end 12 e of the laser means 12 and the means 14 for attaching the golf putting training device 10 to the desired location on the golfer's body 30; and

[0027] the connection means 16 further including means 18 for allowing the laser means 12 to swivel and pivot, said means 18 for allowing the laser means 12 to swivel and pivot further having sufficient resistance to such swivel and pivot action for minimizing oscillation of the laser means 12 as the golfer moves into a putting position and for maintaining a projection of the beam of light 12 a vertically downward essentially perpendicular to a ground surface 20 as the golfer prepares for and completes the putt;

[0028] generating the beam of light 12 a and projecting said beam of light 12 a on the ground surface 20; and

[0029] setting up with a putter 28 in a putting position to putt the golf ball 32 and using the indication of the location of the beam of light 12 a projecting on the ground surface 20 to align the golfer's eyes 30 g over the ball 32.

[0030] The method further comprising the step of using the beam of light 12 a to align one self for a putting stroke.

[0031] The inventive device 10 is contemplated to be relatively compact device about 2.5 inches to about 4 inches long and the laser generating portion of the device being typically less than about 0.5 inch in diameter or cross-section. Such an inventive device could be compactly stored in a golf bag, or attached to the golf bag or to a key ring. Manufacturing of such a device should be relatively inexpensive and as such, the inventive device would make a great marketing or promotional item as an accessory for golf products with a company's logo and/or name inscribed on the inventive device.

[0032] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0033] Now that the invention has been described, 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf putting training device comprising: laser means for projecting a beam of light, the laser means having an ON/OFF switch for selectively turning the beam “on” or “off”, the laser means having a distal end at which end, a laser firing lens is located and a proximal end; means for attaching the golf putting training device to a desired location on a golfer's body; connection means for interconnecting the proximal end of the laser means and the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body; and the connection means further including means for allowing the laser means to swivel and pivot, said means for allowing the laser means to swivel and pivot further having sufficient resistance to such swivel and pivot action for minimizing oscillation of the laser means as the golfer moves into a putting position and for maintaining a projection of the beam of light vertically downward essentially perpendicular to a ground surface as the golfer prepares for and completes the putt.
 2. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body is a clip.
 3. The golf putting training device according to claim 2, wherein the clip is attachable to one of a portion of a golfer's shirt, a portion of a golfer's hat, a temple bar of a golfer's eyeglasses, and a portion of a golfer's ear.
 4. The golf putting training device according to claim 1, wherein the connection means includes an approximate 90° offset to form one leg which connects to the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body and another leg from which the laser means depends and the proximal end of said laser means is connected.
 5. A method of training a golfer to achieve a proper alignment of the golfer's body over a golf ball when putting on a green, comprising: attaching a golf putting training device to the golfer's body, the training device including: laser means for projecting a beam of light, the laser means having an ON/OFF switch for selectively turning the beam “on” or “off”, the laser means having a distal end at which end, a laser firing lens is located and a proximal end; means for attaching the golf putting training device to a desired location on the golfer's body; connection means for interconnecting the proximal end of the laser means and the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body; and the connection means further including means for allowing the laser means to swivel and pivot, said means for allowing the laser means to swivel and pivot further having sufficient resistance to such swivel and pivot action for minimizing oscillation of the laser means as the golfer moves into a putting position and for maintaining a projection of the beam of light vertically downward essentially perpendicular to a ground surface as the golfer prepares for and completes the putt; generating the beam of light and projecting said beam of light on the ground surface; and setting up with a putter in a putting position to putt the golf ball and using the indication of the location of the beam of light projecting on the ground surface to align the golfer's eyes over the ball.
 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of using the beam of light to align for a putting stroke.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body is a clip.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the clip is attachable to one of a portion of a golfer's shirt, a portion of a golfer's hat, a temple bar of a golfer's eyeglasses, and a portion of a golfer's ear.
 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the connection means includes an approximate 90° offset to form one leg which connects to the means for attaching the golf putting training device to the desired location on the golfer's body and another leg from which the laser means depends and the proximal end of said laser means is connected. 